Enter any address in Mitchell County, Iowa to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding and river flooding have both been significant in Mitchell County over the past 30 years, with 22 flash flood events and 21 flood events recorded. Recent examples include widespread river flooding in June 2024 following heavy rainfall, and minor flooding along the Little Cedar and Turkey Rivers in May 2023 due to consecutive days of rain.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced an average water depth of 2.9 feet and an average payout of $29,984. Properties in Zone X have seen average payouts of $19,647 with an average water depth of 0.9 feet, while Zone X_UNSHADED properties, though fewer in number, have had a higher average water depth of 8.3 feet and an average payout of $7,381. Homeowners and real estate agents should pay close attention to properties located in or near river basins, as well as those in Zone A and Zone X_UNSHADED, given the historical claims data.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
34 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Mitchell County, Iowa has recorded 43 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 21 river or area floods. The county has received 20 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2024)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Jun 16, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | May 20, 2024 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Tornadoes | Severe Storm | Dec 15, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jul 19, 2017 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Flood | Sep 21, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Flood | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 20, 2015 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flood | Jun 23, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jun 22, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | May 14, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 28, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2021 | 750.00K |
| Flood | Jun 8, 2018 | 2.00K |
| Flood | Oct 27, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Aug 24, 2016 | 220.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 23, 2016 | 50.00K |
| Flood | Sep 22, 2016 | 2.00K |
Flood — Jun 23, 2024
Above normal rainfall over the course of June, combined with a robust rainfall event between June 20th and 22nd, led to widespread river flooding across portions of northeast Iowa. Rainfall amounts upwards of 5 inches between the 20th and 22nd allowed the Mississippi River, Cedar River and many other river basins in northeast Iowa to enter flood stage towards the end of June. Flooding along the...
Flood — Jun 22, 2024
Above normal rainfall over the course of June, combined with a robust rainfall event between June 20th and 22nd, led to widespread river flooding across portions of northeast Iowa. Rainfall amounts upwards of 5 inches between the 20th and 22nd allowed the Mississippi River, Cedar River and many other river basins in northeast Iowa to enter flood stage towards the end of June. Flooding along the...
Flood — May 14, 2023
Four consecutive days of light to heavy rainfall events during the middle of May resulted in near 1.5 inches and some minor flooding along the more narrow, shallow rivers in northeast Iowa. Initial light to moderate rainfall on May 12th quenched soils from a drier than normal spring, while subsequent storms over the weekend of May 13th-14th resulted in rapid runoff and minor flooding along the ...
Flood — Aug 28, 2021
A complex of storms moved across northeast Iowa during the late afternoon and evening of August 27th. These storms produced two tornadoes in the vicinity of Marble Rock (Floyd County). The first tornado was an EF0 west of Marble Rock that only caused some minor crop and structural damage to a farm. The second tornado was rated as an EF1 that passed just to the south of Marble Rock as it moved s...
Flash Flood — Aug 27, 2021
A complex of storms moved across northeast Iowa during the late afternoon and evening of August 27th. These storms produced two tornadoes in the vicinity of Marble Rock (Floyd County). The first tornado was an EF0 west of Marble Rock that only caused some minor crop and structural damage to a farm. The second tornado was rated as an EF1 that passed just to the south of Marble Rock as it moved s...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Mitchell County, Iowa:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Mitchell County, Iowa that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.